Wednesday, December 28, 2016

A Federal corruption investigation is continuing
against a dozen or more city police officers accused of corruption involving
private security work.
So far, the investigation has identified at least one former Jersey City police
officer and now its focus has widened and others could be charged soon.

Area sources say that some police officers have been
expecting the arrests for months, and the Jersey City Police Department is
cooperating with federal officials to identify any officers involved, according
to an NBC4 New York report.

Police working private security jobs is nothing new
but when a group of officers allegedly ran their own security operation and
demanded immediate cash only payments from their clients, it raised more than a
few red flags.

While Jersey City police officers can work security
jobs while off duty, there is a requirement that the private business must hire
and pay the officers through the city administration and pay extra
administrative fees to the city.

Some off-duty officers were paid even though they
did not show up at sites where private security is required, such as
construction zones and utility work, according to the report.

While most cops across the country are allowed to
work security jobs while off-duty and some areas do require that they be hired
through the police department or that they maintain a security company license
and their own insurance, many officers skirt those requirements by taking cash
and not reporting the income to their supervisors or on their taxes.

Jersey City Spokeswoman Jennifer Morrill has made
earlier statements to the press that the on-going investigation is a joint
operation between the city and federal investigators.

"Over the last three years this administration
has initiated and worked with federal authorities in several investigations to
root out corruption by long term city employees," Morrill told the
publication. "We have a zero tolerance policy and employees should be
aware that if they break the law they will be held accountable."

The Jersey City Police Officers Benevolent
Association also released a statement: "The JCPOBA will not speculate on
this matter, but will remain focused on the ongoing efforts of our members to
keep Jersey City residents safe."